I think the author missed the mark a little on thru-hikers’ opinion of section hikers. There isn’t this contempt for them as “lazy” or “taking the easy way out.” There’s definitively a feeling that they aren’t part of the same tribe — and someone pretending to be a thru-hiker would definitely get you some hate. But AT hikers know it’s a huge privilege to put life on pause and go on an adventure, and that everyone enjoys the trail their own way.